Strip-feeding mechanism



W. H. BROWNING.

STRIP FEEDING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED APR. I4, 1917'.

W. H. BROWNING.

STRIP FEEDING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED APR.14, 1917.

Patented Jan. 6, 1920.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 2- P77. MM.

aufn L Patented Jan. 6,1920.

W. H. BRWNING.

STRIP FEEDING MECHANISM.

.PPLlcATloN HLED APR.1.4,1911.

W. H. BROWNING.

STRIP FEEDING MECHANISM.

xPPLlcATIoN FILED APR.14.1917.

Patented Jan. 6, 1920.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

w. H. lrmwwuv's. STRIIP FEEDING MECHANISM.

PPLICATIQN. FILED APR. 14. 1917.

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N. NQ RII Shun ` Ziz venan Magier-H'owiLL-'g W. H. BROWNING.

STRIP FEEDING MECHANISM. PPLlc/mou FILED APR. 14. 1911.

Patented Jan. 6,1920.

I SHEETS-SHEET 6.

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. H. BROWNING.

STRIP FEEDING MECHANISM'.

wPPLlcATloN FILE APR. 14, 1917.

Patented Jan. 6, 1920.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 7- WALTER HENRY BROWNING, OF WEMBLEY, ENGLAND.

STRIP-FEEDING MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 6, 1920.

Application filed Apri1 14, 1917. Serial No. 162,185.

T0 all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, WALTER HENRY BRowNING, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing in 1Wembley, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Strip-Feeding Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to apparatus of the type in which,lfor any purpose, such as in recording apparatus, one or more bands or strips of paper, ribbon or the like have to be fed forward step by step for equal distances, and is designed to provide improved means for feeding forward such band or strip an exact and invariable distance at each forward motion.

It relates particularly to that type of apparatus in which thepaper, ribbon or the like is fed forward step by step by means of one or more needles adapted to pierce same and to be fed forward the predetermined distance so as to draw the paper, ribbon or the like with it.

The invention also provides an improved form of multiple copy recording apparatus, wherein it shall be possible to issue one or more separate slips containing the record and to store, preferably under lock and key, one or 'more further copies of the record.

Such apparatus may, for instance, be employed in shop-s asa billing machine and take the place of the counterfoil books at present in use, one separate slip being handed to the customer for his bill, a second separate slip being deposited at the cash desk, and a third or other slips being stored away in the machine for checking purposes later. The apparatus may also be employed for many other analogous purposes.

In such `a machine constructed according to the invention, the record paper or bands lare -fed forward an exact and invariable distance on each operation of the machine, so-that record slips of exactly the same length shall be issued at each operation. This permits of previously printed record paper or bands being used and obviates difieulties that arise in other record machines owing to variations in the feed. Other objects of the invention will appear in the course of the specification.

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in

paratus is illustrated capable of making simultaneously a triplicate record.

Figures 1 and 1, read together, are a section on the line 1-1 of Figs. 2 and 2a;

Fig. 1b is a front elevation, partly in section, on the same plane as Figs. 1 and 1,

Figs. 2 and 2a, read together, are a plan of the apparatus;

3 is a transverse section on line III-111 of Fig. 1;

FigL 4L is a transverse section on line IV-IV of Fig. 1;

Figs. 5 and 5, read together, are a front elevation, partly in section on the same plane as Figs. 1 and la;

Fig. 6 shows details of the record feed to va larger scale; and

Fig. 7 shows one method of securing the cover plate over the record paper.

The invention is applicable where only 'one strip or band, or where any number of strips or bands of paper or the like is or are used, but, as already stated, the apparatus shown in the drawings is designed to give a simultaneous and triplicate record and to this end three strips or bands of paper or the like are employed. As designed, two copies of the record are torn off and disposed ofl as desired, while the third copy is retained in the machine Where it cannot be tampered with. r

The three strips or bands of paper 1, 2 and 3 are as shown arranged on separate spools f1, 5 and 6, though they may, if desired, all be arranged on one spool. The spools are journaled at one end in the framing of the apparatus and at the other in sliding brackets 7 8 and 9 which are normally retained in position by stops`10 on the stop rod 11 which enter recesses 12 in the .slides of said brackets under the action of the spring 18 and thus hold them in position. Wings 141 and 15 pivoted to the framing at 16 rest upon the peripheries of the spools 1- and 6 and act as friction plates to prevent the over-running of the spools as the paper is unwound from them. A similar spring urged friction plate 17 is shown to in the same way prevent the over-running of the spool 5. The paper from the spools f1 and 5 is, preferably, led together through a slot 18 formed in the wing 15 and together with that from spool 6 is led around a looper 19 and under a winthe record is made. lagain fed forward, one br more cop1es of the record may be torn oil to be disposed of dow 20 in the cover plate 20L where When the paper 1s as desired while the third copv may be wound on the store spool 21 which is driven in any convenient.or suitable manner such, for instance, as is described in my co-pending` application Serial No. 162,186, iled April 14, 1917. -A friction plate 22 urged by a spring 23 may be employed to prevent slipping or looseness of the band onthe spool 21. I

In the apparatus shown, for simplicity, all the mechanism for operatin the paper feed is actuated from a main s laft 24 suitably mounted in the base of the frame or casing 25, an operating or rocking handle 26 being mounted thereon to operate or rock same, and this is the preferable method of operation, but it is obvious that the parts for carrying out the various operations hereinafter described may be otherwise intercom nected, or operated separately.

Upon the shaft 24 is mounted the forked lever 27 which engages a pin 28 on the main operating slide 29 to reciprocate it when the shaft 24 is rocked. The operating slide 29 is mounted by means of guides 30 upon the' guide bar 31 and is prevented from turning thereon by means of an arm 32 whlch extends downwardly into a longitudinal slot 37 or the like formed in the bottom or other part of the framing 25 of the apparatus. For the purpose, in known manner, of preventing incomplete movements of the apparatus, parallel to the operating slide 29 there are mounted on the framing 25 a pair of oppositely directed ratchet teeth racks 33, 34 and pivoted to the operating slide 29 is a pawl 35 adapted to ride over the rack 33 while the slide is traveling in one direction, but to prevent movement backward along it, so that once a forward movement of the apparatus has been commenced, such movement must be completed before the slide can be returned. On the returnstroke the pawl 35 is transferred to the rack 34 and operates in the same way to permitreturn motion but-prevent forward motion till the return stroke is completed. The pawl 35 carries a pin 35a which, toward the end of the feeding movement, is in contact with the lower surface of the pivoted member 36, which by its weight, aided if necessary by the spring 36", is inclined downward; the member 36 is raised by the pin 352L about its hinge 36a, as shown in Fig. 5, but at the end of the movement of the slide the pin 35a (as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1) passes beyond the member 36 which again drops and, on the return movement of the slide, the pin 35*L rides up the inclined rack on the member 36 with which a tooth 35b formed on the pin 35a coperates, at the same time raising the pawl .ated under'the action of the stud 51.

35 from engagement with the rack 33. The pin 35 then rides along the rack 34 until it reaches the other end when it permits the pawl to again fall into engagement with the lower rack 33.`

The main operating slide 29 carries with it on its forward movement the needle feed slide 38 which by means of guides 39 is adapted to slide longitudinally on the guide bar 40, but is so arranged that it does not commence to move till some time after the main slide 29 commences to move, and that 'it ceases to move shortly before the slide 29 comes to the end of its stroke. For the purpose of transmitting forward movement to the needle feed slide 38 a vlug 41 is formed thereon which is adapted to be engaged by one end of a lever 42 pivoted on the main slide 29. The other end of lever 42 is maintained under tension by a spring 43 and a stop 44 is provided on the slide 29 to prevent the spring 43 swinging the lever 42 around on its pivot. Stops 45, 46 are provided on the guide bar 40 to limit the movement of the needle feed slide 38 in either direction. When the main slide 29 is moved forward, it slides forward by itself till the end of the lever 42 engages the lug 41 on the needle feed slide 38, when it carriesvthe latter forward with it until it engages the stop 45, when further movement thereof is prevented. The main slide 29 can, however, be moved still farther forward under the action of the handle, the lever 42 still engaging the lug 41 turning on its pivot against the action of the spring 43. To return the needle feed slide 38 to the starting position on the return of the main slide 29, any suitable means may be employed. As shown, a lever-47 loosely mounted on the shaft 24 and urged byv a spring 48 acts against a lug 49 to press it backward when it is liberated by the return of the main slide 29. The stop 46 on the guide bar 40 limits the movement of the slide 38 in this direction so that it comes to rest some time before the main slide 29 has completed its backward traverse.

The needle feed slide 38 carries a bracket 50 upon which is mounted a tubular stud 51 which forms a guide and protector for the feed needle 52 as hereinafter described. The stud 51 projects upward through a slot 53 formed in the pivoted lever 54 into a guide slot 55 formed in the table 56 along which slot the stud 51 moves when the needle feed slide 38 is operated. The lever 54 is mounted on the pivot 57 and swings around on its pivot under the table 56when the slide 38 is IoIperpon the pivot 57 is also mounted a second lever 58 arranged directly above the lever 54 and adapted tov swing with it. This lever is formed with a tear-off plate 59 and a slot 60 through which the needle 52 projects whenvit is moved upward to pierce and feed forward the paper or band as hereinafter described, the lever 58 being adapted to move above the paper bands or the like as they are fed forward and to hold them down upon the needle 52. Before the` levers 54 and 58 are moved back, the needle 52 is withdrawn, and after they are moved back, the loose end or ends 67 (see Fig. 1)` of the upper band or, y

bands maybe torn off against the edge of the tear off plate 59. v

rlhe needle 52 is mounted upon an arm 69 carried by a vertical slide 61 mounted in guides 61u on the needle feed slide 38. `Upon the slide 61 is a pin 62 and upon the main operating slide 29 is an inclined plane 63 adapted to engage directly or indirectly the pin 62 and move the slide 61 and needle 52 upward as 'the slide 29 moves forward. The plane 63 is vso arranged that it raises the needle 52 during the early part of the movement of the Slidej29 before it engages the second slide 38 and causesit to move with it. The slide 61 and the needle 52 may be held in the raised position-for the time desired by any suitable means; for instance, a spring 64 as shown'in Figs. 4 and 5 adapted to maintain a certain friction between the vertical slide 61 and the `slide 38 may be employed. To withdraw the needle at the desired moment, there is mounted on the needle slide 38 a small bell cranklever 65, one arm of which is slotted and arranged -to embrace the pin 62' and the other end of which projects downward into the path of a lug 66 carried by the main slide 29. lVhile the two slides 29 and 38 are moving together, the lug` 66 remains out of engagement with the arm of the bell crank 65 but after the feed slide-38 has been arrested by the stop 45 and when the main slide 29 is moving forward alone, the lug 66 engages the lower arm of the bell crank and swings it around, causing the other arm to draw down the slide 61 and needle 52 by means of the pin 62.

The needle 52 when raised as above described, pierces the paper bands 1,v 2 and 3 so that when it is moved forwardl by the slide 38 it carries the bands forward with it the exact distance required. lIt is obvious that instead of one needle 52 only being used forjthe feed, two or more needles may be provided 0n the arm on vthe vertical slide 61.

To prevent movement of the bands 1, 2 and 3 and keepthem in register, under the window 20, after the feed needle 52 has been withdrawn, one or more retaining needles 68 are arranged in such a manner as to pierce the paper, preferably, just before the feed needle 52 is withdrawn, such retaining needles holding the bands from endwise movement and being withdrawn just before the next forward movement of the' bands.

Wedge means'may also be provided to hold the paper after the insertion of the retaining needles so as to prevent any strain being put upon the needles 68.

The needles 68 are mounted on a horizontal arm 70 carried by a'vertical slide 71 supported by the framing of the apparatus. A pin 72 upon the slide 71 is engaged by one end 74 of a pivoted lever 73 also mounted in the framing and the other end of said lever is provided with a pin or the like 75 adapted to be engaged by the inclined plane 63 simultaneously with its engagement of the pin 62 of the feed. needle slide 61. y

It will be seen that as the plane 63` engages the pin 75 and raises it, the retaining needle slide will be lowered by means of the j pin 72, the retaining needles 68 being at the same time withdrawn and thus releasing thebands 1, 2 and 3 for the forward movement.

lf desired, the pin 62 of the feed needle slide 61, instead of being directly engaged by the plane 63, may, as shown, rest upon the end of the lever 73 and be operated thereby as it is moved by the plane 63.

To raise the retaining needles, a third arm 76 is provided on the lever 73 which is adapted to be engaged `by a pin 77 on the slide 78 which is moved along the apparatus by means of a lug 79 on the main slide 29, which engages a pin 80 on said slide 78 at the same time or just before the lug 66 engages the bell crank 65 to withdraw the feed needle 52. As the slide 78 is moved forward the pin 77 swings back the arm 76 and caiuses the end74 of the lever 73 to Araise the slide 71 with the retaining needles pin "77 on slide 78 to return it to operating j position. i

The slide 78 also operates a wedge 82 adapted to grip the paper and hold it tight after the retaining needles 68 have been inserted. .The wedge 82 may be operated from the slide 781 in any suitable manner.. As shown, two pins 83 are provided on the slide 78 between which enters a pin 84 projecting downward from the wedge 82. This, while permitting of easy assembling of the parts, causes a positive movement of the wedge with the slide 78. The wedge 82, preferably, does not press directly upon the paper, but.` presses on it through the intermediary of a vertically sliding plate 85, the object being to prevent the sliding movement of the wedge 82 giving. endwise movement to the paper under the window 20.

To remove any strain from the feed of the bands l, 2 and 3 by the needle 52, a looper 19 is provided which on the return movement of the slide 29 and while the wedge 82 is yet holding'the bands tight en gages all three ybands and causes their supply rolls 4, 5 and 6 to unroll a sufliclent length of band for the next feed.

The looper 19 may be positively connected in any suitable manner to the slide 29 or the operating handle and move positively therewith, or it may, as shown, be mounted on an independent pivoted lever 87 whichis engaged by a stop 88 on the slide 29 shortly before reaching the end of its backward movement, a spring 89 being, preferably, provided to return or assist the return of the looper 19 and so take any tension olf the bands which its weight thereon might cause.

'Ihe cover 90 of the apparatus, or a portion of it, may be hinged, as shown in Fig. 1, and means may be provided for raising it slightly at the end of each backward movement of the slide 29 for the purpose of lifting the ends of the bands W ich have to be torn off against the tear-off plate 59. This lift of the cover may, for instance, be accomplished by means of a tappet 91 pivoted on the framing of the apparatus and adapted to be engaged by the stop 44 on theslide 29 just before it comes to the end of its backward movement.

After passing under the window 20, the band or bands which have to be stored in the apparatus are, preferably, separated from those which have to be torn off by a plate 93 (see Fig. 6), the former passing under the plate and under the cover 90 of the apparatus while the latter pass above the plate 93 and the cover 90.

When a multiple record is desired and a plurality of bands are used, any suitable vmeans of multiplying the record may be ernployed, for instance, .in the apparatus illustrated, where three records are made, the record may be written on the top band and an ink ribbon 94 (Fig. 6) be led between the middle and the bottom bands under the window 20, the middle band being of thinl texture and of transparent or semi-transparent material.

Having thus described the nature of the said invention and the best means I know of carrying thesame into practical effect,l

needle feed slide operated by the mainslide 'l0 in the-central part of its forward movement. y

3. In an autographic recording apparatus,

a main slide operating the working parts, a needle feed slide, a feed needle to engage and' carry forward a record-receiving strip, and 'I6 a slide carrying the feed needle and moving transversely to the needle feed slide.

4. In an autographic recording apparatus, a main slide operatin the working parts, a needle feed slide, a ie and carry forward a record-receiving strip, a retaining needle to engage and hold said material against movement, a slide carrying the feed needle and a slide carrying the retaining needle, both thelast two mentioned 8 5 slides moving transversely. tdthe needle slide.

5. In a autographic reording apparatus, a main slide operating the working parts, an inclined plane carried by said slide, a

the feed needle, and a slide carrying the re- 95 taining needle, both the two last mentioned slides being operated by means of said inclined plane.

6'. Autographic recording apparatus coin- 5 109 Y prising in combination the material-in strip form on which the record is to be made, a

main slide operating the working parts, fa

needle feed slide, a needle to engage and carry forward record receiving material, a second needle to engage and hold said material against movement, a slide carrying the feed needle, a slide carrying the retaining needle, a pivoted lever operated by. the main slide, an inclined! plane carried by the main slide and adapted to rotate the said lever to withdraw the retaining needle and insert the feed needle.

7 In an autographic recording apparatus wherein record-receiving strip material is employed, means for perforating the material when the record has been made, a main slide -operating the working parts, a needle slide of which the forward movement commences later and is completed` earlier than the main slide and a spring tensioned lever by which the return movement of the needle slide is eifected.

8. In an autographic recording apparatus, a needle to engage and feed forward recordreceiving strip material, a second needle to n engage and retain said material against movement, a main slide operating'the working parts, a needle feed slide, a slide carrying the feed needle, a slide carrying the retaining needle, a wedge to grip the strip ed needle to engage 80 90 i needle feed slide, a needle to engage and" of material and remove the strain from the retaining needles, and means to operate said wedge.

9. In an autographic recording apparatus, a needle to engage and carry forward record-receiving strip material, a main slide operating the working parts, a needle feed slide, a slide carrying the feed needle and moving transversely to the needle feed' slide, a rod engaging the record-receiving material, and a pivoted lever on which the said rod is mounted actuated by the return movement of the main slide to unroll a length of the said strips.

10. Autographic recording apparatus comprising, in combination, means for feeding forward step by step a plurality of strips of material on which the same record is to be made, means for perforating the strips simultaneously when the record has been made, and means for locking the strips exactly in position until they are again perforated for the next step forward. l

1-1. Autographic recording apparatuscomprising, in combination, means for feeding forward step by step material in strip form oni'which a record is to be made, means for perforating the material when the record has been made, means for locking 'the material exactly in position until it is a ain perforated for the next step forwar a hinged cover over the rear portion of the saidmaterial and a tappet operated by the vmain slide adapted to lift the said cover before the end of the backward movement of the said slide.

12. `Autographic recording apparatus comprising, in combination, means for feeding forward step -by step a plurality of strips of material on which the same record is to be made, means for perforating the strips simultaneously when the record has been made, means for locking the strips exactly in position until they are again perforated for the next step forward, and means for separating the strips to be torn off from those to be stored inthe apparatus.

13. In an autographic recording apparatus of the type wherein a strip of recordreceiving material is employed, means for perforating the material when a record has been made, a main slide, guides for the rectilinear movement of the said slide, and

means to prevent the ireturn of the main slide to its normal position before the completion of its traverse once the forward movement of the slidehas commenced.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

' WALTER HENRY BROWNING.

Witnesses:

C. S. HOPKINS, B. H'. DERHAM. 

